Turkish army chief says can destroy PKK base in N.Iraq on three conditions

(File Photo)

Özel claimed that there was more to the Uludere incident, in which 34 civilians were killed in Şırnak's Uludere district by military jets last year, than what the media has portrayed.

World Bulletin / News Desk

Chief of General Staff Gen. Necdet Özel has stated that the military is capable of completely destroying Kandil, the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) hideout and base camp in northern Iraq, on three conditions, the Radikal daily reported on Thursday.

Özel met with Grand Unity Party (BBP) leader Mustafa Destici a day before the Dağlıca attack, in which eight soldiers were killed and 16 wounded in a deadly attack staged by the PKK. During the meeting Özel reportedly told Destici that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) could enter Kandil on three conditions: approval by the Turkish government, the US's approval and a public ready to accept a high number of losses.

Furthermore, Özel claimed that there was more to the Uludere incident, in which 34 civilians were killed in Şırnak's Uludere district by military jets last year, than what the media has portrayed. He asserted that armed PKK members were among the 34 people who were killed in the air strike. “It'll all be clear very soon,” Özel added.

Moreover, Özel, who opposes the General Staff's subordination to the Defense Ministry, stated that the government should look back to years between 1949 and 1960, when the General Staff was part of the Defense Ministry, for reasons why the two should be kept separate.

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